the italians had a claim on the papacy a long time until john paul the iind now, they had a poll and german in the seat and i imagine they would be interested having it back in italy. at the same time, there is very good talent outside europe that might be able to lead the church. i think they'll look widely but won't be simply geographical, what kind of vision will they have going forward and considerations of age and health obviously in this case. i think all those will be on the table. >> they say you want to live in interesting times. certainly, we all are going to get a chance to watch how the pope's voice is absorbed into this discussion by the conclave, right? how much of a voice will he have in this? >> caller: i suspect he will have very little or none. if he's prudent, i don't think he will try to appoint his own successor, let the cardinals choose one of their own because they have to live with the decision. this is an unprecedented situation. popes don't generally pick their successors and i don't think he will. my suspicion is he will retreat from the process an not part